Another full year for First Hunt program

SOUTH NATION REGION, Ontario - For the tenth year in a row, a partnership between South Nation Conservation (SNC) and Delta Waterfowl has resulted in a fully-subscribed First Hunt Program!

The program is all about introducing young people to Delta Waterfowl’s First Hunt Program, which includes the Ontario Hunter Safety course and the Canadian Firearms Certification. For 10 years running, youth between the ages of 12-15, keen to learn about hunting regulations have taken part in this free program.

“The Youth Hunt is designed to provide young hunters with the knowledge needed to practice safe and ethical hunting,” said Philip Duncan, SNC’s Property and Approvals Assistant II. “We’re training the conservationists of tomorrow to respect wildlife, habitat, private property, and personal safety.”

With over 12,000 acres of community land across a 4,384 square-km jurisdiction, many economic and recreational activities take place on SNC properties year-round including hiking, geocaching, bee keeping, and horseback riding. A range of hunting opportunities also exist for species such as White-tailed deer, Moose, waterfowl and upland game.

Hunters are reminded that they require a hunting permit before accessing SNC-owned lands during hunting season.

The cost for the hunting permit is $100 and provides access to over 8,500 acres of forested land. Permit revenue helps offset some of the cost of hunting outreach initiatives, including the First Hunt Program.

Residents are reminded to keep themselves and their pets safe outdoors this time of year by wearing high visibility clothing as some areas of SNC property may have multiple users at any given time. Hunting is not permitted on SNC’s Conservation Areas where managed trail systems exist.

To obtain a hunting permit, visit www.nation.on.ca to complete and return the hunting application permit form to SNC.

“We hope to foster a lifelong appreciation of the local environment that can be passed down for generations. As environmentalists, we advocate for responsible and sustainable hunting and fishing.”